Alumni Contributions to Oscar-Winning Films

Six LAFS alumni worked on 4 Oscar-winning films at the 91st Academy Awards

We are honored to announce the LAFS alumni who were credited on four of the Oscar-winning films including BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, First Man and If Beale Street Could Talk. Their roles ranged from property master to drone safety technician to supervising art director.

We are extremely proud of our alumni’s contributions and continued success in the entertainment industry. As Lady Gaga passionately stated in her acceptance speech for best original song— “I have worked hard for a long time, and it is not about winning, but it’s about not giving up.”

“If you have a dream, fight for it. There’s a discipline for passion, and it’s not about how many times you get rejected or you fall down or beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave,” added Gaga.

Even though we won’t know the Oscars’ official ratings until later this week, the 91st Academy Awards managed just fine without a host this year. The three-plus hour ceremony rolled along smoothly with comedic appearances from Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey to name a few. The Academy traded the opening monologue for a performance by Queen and Adam Lambert.

Our legacy lives on through the talented alumni who dedicate their craft to an art form our school has served for 20 years.

Here are the six alumni who worked on Oscar-winning films in 2018.

BLACK PANTHER

Austin Harris

Program Associate Film 2011Position Aerial Camera Operator

Cody Troxell

Program Film 2009Position Drone Safety Technician

“When I got the call to work on ‘Black Panther,’ I immediately knew that I was about to be a part of something big,” said Cody Preston Troxell. “When I heard it was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, it was hard to say I was surprised. The cast and crew were top-notch, and I think we came up with something quite amazing.”

Christian Salvador

Program Associate Computer Animation 2014Position Roto Paint crew

WINNER OF: Best Production Design, Costume Design, Original Music Score

BLACKkKLANSMAN

Alec Nickel

Program Associate Film 2014Position Camera Department

WINNER OF: Best Adapted Screenplay

If Beale Street Could Talk

Joshua Bramer

“Start from the bottom and learn as much as you can. I started out as a set dresser in the non-union world and started prop mastering for a production designer on his movies,” said Joshua Bramer. “Always have an open mind! Never expect things to go your way because things always change!”

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